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Biomedical subjects

N Minami

Publications and source records attributed to N Minami.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Failure to visualize bilateral adrenal glands in a patient with primary aldosteronism.

Failure to visualize either adrenal gland by adrenal imaging was experienced in a patient with biochemical evidence of primary aldosteronism. Visualization of the adrenal glands was not possible after the administration of ACTH-Z (1 mg/day) for 3 days. The administration of ACTH and dexamethasone elicited an increase in blood pressure. Although the reason for this failure to visualize the adrenal glands by scanning and for the rise in blood pressure brought on by ACTH and dexamethasone remain unclear, we think that the case herein reported is a rare type of primary aldosteronism.

Adosterol↗

Effects of sialoadenectomy and epidermal growth factor administration on the duodenum of adult mice.

Sialoadenectomy (removal of the submandibular glands) of adult male and female mice caused significant or apparent decreases in duodenal weight, duodenal protein, DNA and RNA contents, and alkaline phosphatase activity. These decreased levels observed in sialoadenectomized mice were completely restored to or rather increased over the control levels by epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration. There was no appreciable difference in body weight between the control and sialoadenectomized mice. These results strongly suggest that salivary EGF secreted from the submandibular gland plays a role in the maintenance of growth and function(s) of the adult mouse duodenum.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

[Clinical evaluation of imipenem/cilastatin sodium against severe infections in patients with hematopoietic disorders].

Sixty-eight patients with severe infections associated with hematopoietic disorders were treated with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) and the efficacy and safety of this drug were evaluated. 1. Fifty-nine patients were evaluable for the efficacy. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 10 patients, good in 24, fair in 11 and poor in 14, and the overall efficacy rate was 57.6%. 2. The clinical efficacy rates were 62% against septicemia and suspected septicemia, 40% against pneumonia and 100% against urinary tract infection (1 case). 3. The clinical efficacy rates when these patients were grouped according to numbers of neutrophils after treatment were: less than 100/mm3; 44.4%, 101-500/mm3; 58.3% and over 501/mm3; 60.5%. The efficacy rate was particularly excellent, 60.0%, for patients with neutrophil counts were less than 100/mm3 both before and after treatment. 4. Sixty-eight patients were evaluable for the safety. Side effects were observed in 5 patients and abnormal laboratory test values were observed in 5 patients.

Adolescent↗

[Aplastic anemia which terminated in hypoplastic leukemia 10 years after diagnosis].

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of further examination of anemia in November, 1978. She was diagnosed as having aplastic anemia, which was not associated with any atypical findings. Treatment with oxymetholone had been effective. However, she developed pancytopenia in January, 1988. A bone marrow aspiration revealed a hypocellular marrow with 75.6% blasts. Following two courses with low dose cytosine arabinoside and vitamin D3, the leukemia improved although she needs red cell transfusions at intervals of one to two months because of persistent pancytopenia. We present a patient with aplastic anemia who developed a hypoplastic leukemia at the tenth year of the disease.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

[A case of complete remission from acute unclassified leukemia achieved by using a prodrug of ara C, stearyl-ara-CMP (YNK01)].

YNK01 (a daily oral dose of 450 mg) was administered for 22 days to a 58-year-old-female with Ph1-positive acute unclassified leukemia. Leukemia cells were negative for peroxidase and esterase, but were positive for CD19, CD13, CD34, CD9, HAL-DR, CD25, and TdT. Complete remission was obtained and continued for at least a month. The main side effects noted were diarrhea and melena. The administration of YNK01 resulted in plasma ara C levels that ranged between 15.4 to 23.0 ng/ml, which appear to be nearly equivalent to dose achieved during continuous IV infusion of a low dose (20 mg/m2/day) of ara C.

Acute Disease↗

Clinical evaluation of semiautomatic and automatic devices for home blood pressure measurement: comparison between cuff-oscillometric and microphone methods.

The accuracy and reliability of blood pressure (BP) values were evaluated by comparing values obtained with eight automatic or semiautomatic devices designed for home BP measurement (four microphone devices based on the Korotkoff-sound technique and four cuff-oscillometric devices) with those obtained by the auscultatory method, using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values obtained using the microphone devices coincided well with those obtained by the auscultatory method. However, these devices produced a certain proportion of errors in the measurement of diastolic blood pressure (DBP), sometimes resulting in recordings at least 25 mmHg higher than those obtained by the standard method. The most frequent causes of this phenomenon were an auscultatory (silent) gap and a weak Korotkoff sound after phase IV. A microphone device using a condenser microphone built into the manometer displayed comparatively good acoustic characteristics for determining DBP. All cuff-oscillometric devices demonstrated minimal mean differences and a constant s.d. of mean difference for DBP, with no great differences from the auscultatory method. However, mean differences and s.d.s in SBP measurements using cuff-oscillometric devices were relatively greater than those obtained using some of the microphone devices. Furthermore, the direction of the mean differences in measurements from those obtained with the auscultatory method differed. The error in relation to the auscultatory method tended to be reproducible in the same subjects with both the microphone and the cuff-oscillometric devices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ambulatory Care↗

Age-related changes in blood pressure, heart rate and baroreflex sensitivity in SHR.

1. The age-related changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats from 4 to 20 weeks of age. 2. Intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) was continuously recorded for 24 h in conscious, freely moving rats. Twenty-four hour MAP and HR were calculated by an online computer. Baroreflex sensitivity was measured by phenylephrine infusion. 3. In SHR, BRS was significantly lower than in WKY as early as 4-5 weeks, at which time MAP in SHR was only slightly raised. During subsequent weeks, rapid increase in MAP occurred in SHR, in association with progressive bradycardia. 4. It was concluded that a reduced BRS may be detected in young prehypertensive SHR and this impairment of BRS may be central in origin.

Aging↗

Characteristics of sialidase in the rat salivary glands.

Using 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid (4MU-NeuAc) as substrate, we measured sialidase activity in the salivary glands and other organs of the rat. The pH optima of salivary gland sialidase were between 4.0 and 4.5, which were similar to those of the enzyme in the brain, liver and kidney. Among the salivary glands, the submandibular one showed the highest sialidase activity followed by the parotid and the sublingual glands. However, sialidase activity in these glands was lower when compared with the activity in the brain, liver and kidney. From the subcellular distribution study, salivary gland sialidase was found to be mainly localized in the lysosomes. The pH optima of the lysosomal sialidase of the salivary glands were between 4.0 and 4.5; and Km values for 4MU-NeuAc approximately 0.09 mmol/l. In the submandibular and parotid glands, a soluble sialidase with a different pH optimum (5.5) and Km value (0.25 mmol/l) was also detected.

Animals↗

Role of vasopressin in cardiovascular response to central cholinergic stimulation in rats.

The cardiovascular effects of centrally administered cholinomimetics were examined in conscious Long-Evans and Brattleboro rats. Carbachol (1 microgram/kg) or physostigmine (50 micrograms/kg) induced a long-lasting increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate in Long-Evans rats whereas no bradycardia was observed in Brattleboro rats, and the pressor response was significantly less than that in Long-Evans rats. The cardiovascular responses to nicotine (30 micrograms/kg) in Brattleboro rats were not different from those in Long-Evans rats. Intravenous vasopressin antagonist, d(CH2)5Tyr(Me) arginine vasopressin, significantly attenuated the pressor response and eliminated the bradycardic response to carbachol in Long-Evans rats. However, the pressor response to carbachol in Brattleboro rats was still significantly less than that in Long-Evans rats treated with vasopressin antagonist. Intravenous phentolamine partially inhibited the pressor response to carbachol in Long-Evans rats and completely eliminated it in Brattleboro rats. Combined intravenous treatment with phentolamine and vasopressin antagonist completely eliminated the pressor response to carbachol in Long-Evans rats. Centrally administered methylatropine eliminated either the hypertensive or bradycardic response to carbachol in Long-Evans rats. These results indicate that the pressor and bradycardic response to carbachol or physostigmine is mediated by the central muscarinic receptor mechanism. Hypertensive response to intracerebroventricularly administered carbachol in normal rats is mediated both by an increase in central sympathetic outflow and in circulating vasopressin. The bradycardia seems to be mediated mainly by vasopressin.

Animals↗

Modulation of cardiovascular depressant action of clonidine by pentobarbital anesthesia in rats.

The influence of pentobarbital anesthesia (5 mg/100 g, i.p.) on the cardiovascular depressor effect of clonidine administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and intravenously (i.v.) was examined in rats. In conscious rats the hypotensive potency of i.v. clonidine [effective dose of clonidine which induced a decrease in blood pressure of 15 mmHg; ED15 = 7 (micrograms/kg)] is greater than that of i.c.v. clonidine (ED15 = 24.3), while in anesthetized rats that of i.c.v. clonidine (ED15 = 0.7 microgram/kg) was greater than that of i.v. clonidine (ED15 = 3.5 micrograms/kg). Pentobarbital anesthesia potentiated the hypotensive potency of i.c.v. clonidine in conscious rats by 50 times, while it potentiated that of i.v. clonidine only by 2 times. The bradycardic potency of i.v. and i.c.v. clonidine was also potentiated by pentobarbital anesthesia. These pieces of evidence suggest that in conscious rat, the hypotensive action of i.c.v. clonidine is opposed by a centrally mediated hypertensive effect of the drug and that pentobarbital anesthesia suppresses the clonidine sensitive pressor center and so potentiates the hypotensive effect of i.c.v. clonidine.

Anesthesia↗

Similarity in amplitude of the nocturnal fall in blood pressure in old and young patients with essential hypertension.

The influence of age on the nocturnal fall in blood pressure (BP) was examined in essential hypertensive patients as well as normal subjects. BP was monitored every 5 min for 24 hr by means of a finger volume oscillometric device. Average daytime BP was similar in the 3 age groups [young: less than 40 (years), n = 49, average daytime systolic BP (ASBP) = 132 +/- 20 mmHg, average daytime diastolic BP (ADBP) = 82 +/- 17 mmHg; adult: 40 less than or equal to less than 60, n = 110, ASBP = 127 +/- 19 mmHg, ADBP = 86 +/- 13 mmHg; old: 60 less than or equal to, n = 33, ASBP = 131 +/- 17 mmHg. ADBP = 83 +/- 11, mean +/- S.D.]. The nocturnal fall in BP was observed in all age groups and its amplitude (delta BP = average daytime BP - average nighttime BP) in the old patients (delta SBP = 13 +/- 11 mmHg, delta DBP = 10 + 8 mmHg) was similar to that in the young patients (delta SBP = 11 +/- 8 mmHg, delta DBP = 10 +/- 8 mmHg). The results suggests that information on the nocturnal behavior of BP is valuable in treating aged essential hypertensives to prevent cerebral and/or myocardial ischemia during sleep.

Adolescent↗

The circadian variation of blood pressure and heart rate in patients with hyperthyroidism.

The circadian variation of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) was examined in 18 normal subjects, 15 patients with essential hypertension treated with beta-blockers and 21 patients with hyperthyroidism. Most of the patients with hyperthyroidism were also treated with beta-blockers. The 24 hr BP was measured with an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device (UBP-100) every 5 min. A nocturnal fall in BP and HR was observed in the patients with essential hypertension treated with beta-blockers and the patients with mild to moderate hyperthyroidism as well as normal subjects. On the other hand, in patients with severe hyperthyroidism the nocturnal fall was observed in HR alone, and the fall was small in its amplitude. There was a significant negative correlation between triiodothyronine (T3) level and percentage amplitude of the nocturnal fall in systolic BP (n = 21, r = -0.5, p less than 0.01). However, this relation was not significant in diastolic BP and HR. These results indicate that excess thyroid hormone may modulate the circadian variation of BP and HR.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Differential secretory rhythm of growth hormone controls the number of hepatic epidermal growth factor receptors in the rat.

The effect of human GH (hGH) on hepatic epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in the rat was investigated. Continuous administration of hGH through an osmotic minipump, mimicking the female pattern of GH secretion, to normal male rats reduced the binding of 125I-labelled EGF to hepatic membranes to the normal female levels. The same treatment of hGH applied to hypophysectomized males had no apparent effect on EGF binding. Intermittent s.c. administration of hGH twice a day (every 12 h), mimicking the male pattern of GH secretion, to hypophysectomized male and/or normal female rats, caused a significant increase in EGF binding to the levels of normal male rats. Scatchard analysis of the binding data clearly showed that the change in EGF binding was due to a change in the number of EGF receptors. The results on the affinity labelling and phosphorylation of EGF receptors were in good agreement with those showing differences in the number of EGF receptors among the experimental groups. These results indicate that the number of hepatic EGF receptors in the rat is regulated by the differential secretory rhythm of pituitary GH between the sexes.

Animals↗

[Sialidase in rat salivary glands. Characteristics of soluble sialidase in salivary glands and other tissues].

In this study, we elucidated some characteristics of soluble sialidases in the rat salivary glands, brain, liver and kidney. 1) Soluble sialidases in the submandibular and parotid glands were inactivated by about 75 and 60%, respectively, and the enzymes in the brain, liver and kidney were also inactivated by 16-48%, when preincubated at 40 degrees C for 1h. When preincubated at 60 degrees C, the enzymes in all tissues were completely inactivated within 10 min. 2) Ca2+ ion in low concentrations tended to activate soluble sialidases in both the submandibular and parotid glands, but had no apparent effect on the enzymes in the brain, liver and kidney. The enzyme in the submandibular gland tended to be activated also by low concentrations of Mg2+. Both Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions caused a marked inhibition on the soluble sialidases in all tissues. 3) The molecular weight of soluble sialidases in the submandibular and parotid glands was determined to be about 68,000 and 46,000, respectively, by means of Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The molecular weight of the enzymes in the brain and liver was almost similar to that of the enzyme in the parotid gland. In the kidney, soluble sialidase was separated into two enzymes, one having high (more than 500,000) and the other having low (about 46,000) molecular weight. 4) By isoelectric focusing analysis, three isozymes were detected in the submandibular gland and brain sialidases and two isozymes detected in the enzymes of other tissues. The isoelectric point of the major isozymes in the submandibular and parotid glands was 6.4 and 6.9 respectively. In the brain, liver and kidney sialidases, the isozymes with isoelectric point in the range of 4.4 to 6.7 were detected.

Animals↗

Effects of ML-9 on experimental delayed cerebral vasospasm.

Experimental delayed cerebral vasospasm was produced in a two-hemorrhage canine model. The spastic basilar artery was exposed via the transclival route under a surgical microscope and was dilated by the topical application of 1-(5-chloronaphthalenesulfonyl)-1H-hexa-1,4-diazepine (ML-9), a selective antagonist of myosin light chain kinase. Dilation was dose-dependent, with a median effective dose (+/- standard deviation) of 51.4 +/- 6.9 microM. In addition, 50 microM of ML-9 was injected into the cisterna magna until the intracranial pressure (ICP) reached 200 mm H2O for 30 minutes, including a complete reversal of angiographic delayed vasospasm in three of seven dogs; in contrast, 150 microM of ML-9 was infused at 1.52 ml/min into the vertebral artery for 30 minutes, producing little dilation of the spastic basilar artery. In another study, the intracisternal perfusion of 50 microM of ML-9 at 1.48 ml/min for 30 minutes in dogs with an ICP of less than 200 mm H2O produced no serious electroencephalographic abnormalities, and the mean arterial blood pressure and pulse rate remained normal; no neurological deficits or significant histological abnormalities ascribable to the intracisternal ML-9 were found.

Administration, Topical↗

Intensive chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation for a patient having wide-spread embryonal carcinoma in the central nervous system.

A patient with an intracranial embryonal carcinoma, which was resistant to cisplatin-based combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, developed spinal seeding. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and the beta chain of HCG (NCG beta) in serum or cerebrospinal fluid immediately returned to elevated levels despite sequential chemotherapy and resection. Accordingly, we treated this patient with spinal irradiation and intensive combination chemotherapy (cisplatin etoposide, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and actinomycin D) followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation. With this treatment, the clinical manifestations showed a tendency to improve and, furthermore, the serum levels of AFP and HCG returned to normal. These findings suggest autologous bone marrow transplantation to be a potential approach to the treatment of patients with embryonal carcinomas.

Adult↗